Chapter 4 Retribution pt.1: The New Master
Ginta and Hakkaku struggled to keep up with their leader as he moved through the trees like lightning.
"Come on, Koga, we've been running for hours on end!", Hakkaku cried out.
He kept going, not bothering looking back. The jewels in his legs were burning at full power as he moved across the land.
"We're hungry and tired and thirsty!", they both complained.
Annoyed, he came sliding to a stop and turned to his brethren.
"Look, if you're gonna complain the whole damn way you can just sit your lazy asses here and set up camp for all I care!"
They leaped back in shock.
"Y-you don't really mean that, do ya Koga?"
He glared in their direction.
"Uh-yeah! I never asked the two of you to tag along in the first place!"
Tears of hurt streamed down their faces and Koga shook his head.
"Geeze. Would you stop blubbering?! I'm not leaving you, okay! I'm just going see Kagome! You can . . . come along if you want."
Their faces immediately brightened.
"Ya meant it?", Hakkaku asked.
Koga flashed a toothy grin.
"Couldn't leave you two knuckle heads alone even if I wanted to. Now lets get goin'. We've wasted enough time as it is." Blasts of wind exploded from his feet as he started again. Something was coming; he could feel it in the air. He could only hope he made to the village before this other presence got to her first.
The streaming rays of sunlight beamed down on Inuyasha's face through the cracks in the wall.
He could feel a warm body laying next to him and he smiled.
"Morning Kagome.", He whispered touching the hand that lay on his cheek.
"Uh . . . Inuyasha, I'm over here.", She said.
He looked up to see her sitting in the corner and realized it was not her warm body on top of his.
He peered over his shoulder to see Shippo.
" Get off me!", he yelled throwing the little kitsune across the room.
"What the heck did you do that for?", Shippo asked, rubbing his head.
Kagome couldn't help but laugh as they bickered.
"And to think, I helped wrap your bandages!"
"So! That doesn't mean you can use me like a friggin' heat blanket, ya twerp!"
"You stupid mutt!"
"What did you call me?"
"You heard me. Stupid!"
"Get over here!"
Kagome suddenly looked away as if disturbed by something.
The two stopped to see her troubled expression.
"What is it Kagome?"
Before she could answer, the sound of screams and explosions filled the air.
"Trouble!"
Inuyasha wrapped himself in his kimono and grabbed the Tetsusaiga. Kagome scooped up her bow and arrows and rushed outside.
At the far east side of the village people were running left and right in fear as the new enemy stepped out from the wreckage.
"Inuyasha! Come out!"
Kimaryu waved his hand sending a blast crashing into a nearby house. Villagers scampered out as he continued on his path of destruction. He raised his hand to attack the crowd when he heard something up ahead.
"Hiraikotsu!"
Sango's huge boomerang came slicing past him, and traveled back to her hand.
"Sesshomaru?", asked Miroku.
"No, it's someone else.", Sango said as Kilala joined her side.
Kimaryu laughed mockingly.
"Well, well. The monk and the demon slayer. Is this Inuyasha so pathetic he needs humans to fight his battles for him?"
" You're one to talk.", Said Sango, "You're nothing but a coward, attacking defenseless villagers."
Kimaryu turned to her in anger.
"You would do well to hold your tongue, wench."
"That's it."
Sango hopped onto Kilala's back and went straight for him
"Wait!", Miroku cried.
"Fool."
The fur wrapped around Kimaryu's shoulder uncoiled and grabbed Kilala by the neck, throwing her and Sango through the wall of the village store.
"How dare you!", Miroku shouted as he drew his sutra charms, "I know not who you or where you came from but I suggest you prepare to leave this world."
"Ha, and just what do you plan to do with those?"
"This! Sacred Sutras!"
He threw the slits of paper at Kimaryu who set them ablaze.
Kimaryu rushed the monk with unholy speed and buried his fist into his stomach.
Miroku fell to his knees in pain. The demon's claws extended out like knives as he prepared to slaughter him.
"Any last words?"-
"Iron Reaver!"
Inuyasha came crashing down, slashing through Kimaryu's face as he did so.
He stumbled back and Inuyasha struck at his chest. His attack was interrupted when Kimaryu seized his wrist.
"Let go of me!"
The demon laughed maniacally as the bloody gashes across his face healed over.
"What the f . . . !"-Kimaryu sent him flying with a blast of light.
"Inuyasha!", called Kagome, "He's got jewel shards!"
Inuyasha wiped the blood from his lips as the enemy approached.
"Just who the hell are you?"
"My name is Kimaryu, and I take you are Inuyasha.", He said.
Inuyasha leaped to his feet and drew his sword.
"How do you know my name? I've never met you before!"
Kimaryu smiled.
"Okay, pal. That's it!"
He rushed in with Tetsusaiga and Kimaryu moved in as well. The two met in a clash of wind.
Inuyasha struck at him with Tetsusaiga but he ducked under the blow and knocked him back.
He recovered and took a swing at his legs. Kimaryu back flipped, missing the attack by seconds and kicked him squarely in the face.
"Dammit!"
Inuyasha turned to block the attack, but Kimaryu was already upon him.
He laid for powerful blows to his chest and blasted him back.
"This isn't looking good.",Shippo said.
"I know.", Replied Kagome, "This demon seems to have Inuyasha outmatched, and on top of that he has two jewel shards."
Shippo looked up at her in shock.
"We're in trouble."
Inuyasha tried another rush attack. He leaped up, running directly for him, and thrust the sword at his face. Kimaryu caught the blade in between his claws and held it there. Sparks began to shoot off as hand as Tetsusaiga's barrier kicked in.
"So this is the mighty Inuyasha.", He sneered, "I can certainly see how you could be his brother."
Inuyasha's eyes widened.
"You two are just like him, your father. So arrogant. So caught up in your own self-proclaimed
greatness. No more."
"What are you talking about!?", Inuyasha asked, trying to pry the sword free from his grasp.
"But you are a special case, a disgrace to our kind. Such power does not belong to a half-breed like you."
That was just the push he needed. Inuyasha jerked his sword out of Kimaryu's vice-grip and raised it as he lunged forward.
"Wind Scar!"
Streams of demonic energy ripped through ground, nearly catching him by surprise.
How could a novice half-breed use the Wind Scar!?
Kimaryu raised his hand causing the ground in front of him to erect a shield as the blast came crashing down. They were engulfed in a thick cloud of dust and smoke as the attack died down.
Kagome and Shippo ran back to avoid the blinding cloud that descended upon the village.
Inside Inuyasha focused himself, though he could barely see the sword right in front of him let alone this Kimaryu person. Just who was he and how did he know about him and Sesshomaru?
It didn't matter; he would take him out just like any other demon.
"Inuyasha.", Kimaryu taunted, "Where are you?"
Inuyasha looked around nervously still unable to focus his sight, and then he felt him.
Kimaryu's claws tore through his back, splattering his blood across the ground as he was slashed repeatedly. Inuyasha fell to his knees as blood flowed freely from his reopened wounds.
"And now, my loathsome kin, meet your demise."
He sent a blast of heat searing through his body, knocking him to the ground.
Beaten and exhausted, he released his hold on Tetsusaiga and lost consciousness.
Kimaryu smiled as he kicked him aside and knelt down to grasp the sword. Just as his fingers closed around the hilt his hand was repelled and set aflame.
"It seems the jewels I possess now are not enough."
Just then a powerful surge of wind and light came zipping by his head. Sacred power.
He turned to see Kagome loading another arrow to the bow. His eyes widened in shock. This was the priestess Sesshomaru had spoken of. Why did her face seem so . . . ?
"Get away from him, now!", she shouted.
Kimaryu looked closer and saw a glow emanating from inside her shirt. Jewel shards! He turned away from Inuyasha and started toward Kagome and Shippo.
"Stay away! I'm warning you!"
He continued to advance, a wicked smile lining his face.
Kagome pulled and fired. He dodged the attack and flew straight for her, gaining on her before she could load another arrow. As he raised his hand to strike her, Kilala rushed in from behind and sank her jagged fangs into his shoulder.
"When will you learn!?", he bellowed, hoisting the nekomata demon over his head and blasting her away.
He turned to Kagome in annoyance as she tried to flee. He raised his hand, immobilizing her where she stood.
"Don't leave so soon, not before we get to know one another."
He brushed her face softly with his claws and she yelped, holding down a scream.
"W-What does you want?"
Kimaryu clipped the necklace that held jewels.
"Everything, my dear."
"Keep your filthy hands off of her!"
Inuyasha rose up in fury to strike him down as he crushed the bottle and absorbed the shards.
"Yes."
The jewels' power coursed through his body; erasing his wounds and battle scars.
The claw mark that ran across his face vanished and his right eye opened to reveal a glowing green pupil.
"Now you die!"
He caught the blade with a single hand before it could touch his face.
A red beam of energy extended out from his free hand and burned through Inuyasha's chest.
Kimaryu pulled Tetsusaiga from his grasp and kicked him to the ground.
"Inuyasha!", Kagome screamed.
"Worry not, Inuyasha. I will save you for last. Watch as your beloved woman is destroyed." Kimaryu said raising the sword.
"No!"
He swung the Tetsusaiga, unleashing the fury of the Wind Scar on Kagome.
"Hold on. You're with me now.", She heard someone say.
She felt someone take her in their arms as the blast roared past. The village was lit up by a flash of light and then darkened by a cloud of falling debris.
"What?"
When the smoke cleared, it was Koga who stood over Kagome.
"What the hell does he think he's doing!?", Inuyasha shouted, miraculously rising to his feet.
Ignoring him, Koga lifted Kagome back to her feet and held her hand.
"Are you all right, Kagome?", he asked, deepening his voice.
"I'm fine, just a little jarred though.", She replied.
Koga glared at Inuyasha and he glared back.
"Ya know, and it's just like you! You can't even save your own ass; it's no wonder Kagome's always in danger!"
"What!?"
Inuyasha ran past Kimaryu and into Koga's face.
"I was doing' just fine till your mangy stinking' butt showed up!"
"You're one to talk dog breath!"
"Um . . . guys.", Shippo said.
"STAY OUT OF IT!"
Kimaryu burst out in laughter at their pointless bickering, and they both turned to him in annoyance. His maniacal laughter was cut short when he realized they were serious.
"Well I must say. This has definitely been one of my more entertaining days, not to mention rewarding.", He said glancing down at Tetsusaiga, "But I'm afraid I have a prior engagement to attend to. So . . . "-
Sango and Miroku landed behind him atop a furious Kilala, barring his path. Miroku unbound his beads and Sango braced herself.
"You're not going anywhere."
He turned to see the others surrounding him as well. He allowed himself a faint snicker. They were all ready to die here. He wouldn't deny them, the fools.
"Well come at me then!"
Sango and Kilala rushed him from behind but were thrown by the power of Tetsusaiga.
Inuyasha leaped into the air and cried, "Blades of Blood!" Crimson blades of energy shot off his blood stained claws and flew at Kimaryu who blocked each one effortlessly. Koga flew at him next, kicking and swinging. Kimaryu stepped back to block and counter each one of the enemies
lighting fast strikes. He moved up, striking harder and faster with the blade but Koga would not be brought down. Koga landed a blow to his face, stunning him for but a second. But a second was all he needed. He drilled him in the face with a flurry of punches and Inuyasha took his shot.
"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!"
Kimaryu rolled out of the way and leaped back to his feet, right where Miroku wanted him. Fully unveiling the hungry void in his hand he called out, "Wind Tunnel!"
Inuyasha and Koga moved out of the way as Kimaryu was ripped back. He stabbed Tetsusaiga into the ground and hung on for dear life.
"It's over, Kimaryu!", Kagome shouted, "You're Dead!" She pulled the bow tightly and fired, hitting her mark.
Kimaryu was thrown into the pull of the void.
"Gotcha!", Miroku said.
At the last second Kimaryu turned and swung the Tetsusaiga in midair.
"Wind Scar!"
A surge of energy flew into Miroku's hand searing the Wind Tunnel shut before he could suck him in. Kimaryu flew forward and knocked him to the ground.
"Enough outta you."
Now all that stood in his way was Inuyasha and the wolf. Easy enough.
He turned to see them come crashing into him. Inuyasha slashed through his armor and Koga delivered a swift kick to his head sending him sliding back.
"What do you say to that?", Koga said triumphantly.
Kimaryu looked up as he popped his broken neck back into place.
"I say . . . DIE!"
He moved forward faster than he could react, ramming Koga in the face with his spiked armor. He then speared Inuyasha with his energy whip and lifted him up by the neck.
"I take it back, half-breed. You really are pathetic."
He slammed him to the ground and raised the blade for the finishing blow.
Just then another sacred arrow flew by, striking the blade.
"What is this?" he said as the sword transformed back.
Kagome drew her last arrow and loaded it to the bow. "Drop the sword now!"
Kimaryu beared his fangs in anger, yet she did not flinch.
Come on.
Neither moved an inch. Villagers peered out from the wreckage as the two stood poised for the kill. "The girl may prove to be lethal if underestimated." Kimaryu was all too aware. With Tetsusaiga weakened she would strike him down before he could get close enough. He had what he'd come for. Slowly, he stepped down.
"I said don't move!" Kagome shouted.
"This isn't over, women." He turned for his escape and Kagome fired. He waved his hand and knocked the arrow off course.
"No!", Kagome screamed.
He leaped over Koga and Inuyasha's lifeless bodies and took to the sky. Sango hurled the Hiraikotsu but it was far too late. He took off at full speed, the five jewel shards now in his possession giving him limitless power.
"I've but one more task at hand before I destroy these fools. Sesshomaru . . ."
He laughed as he ascended, resting the sword in his grasp. The fang of destruction was now his to command.